I closed my eyes and took many deep breaths. It calmed my nerves, but it seemed to increase the spinning of my vision. When my body stopped quivering, I opened my eyes. Richard’s number was displayed on my phone.
I hit the button to call him. After two rings, he answered.
“Hello. Regina?”
“Hey, Richard.”
“Are you okay? You sound a little shaky.”
“Yeah. I’m fine, Richard.” Fine wasn’t even close to how I felt. I tried to compose myself as even my voice shook from the aftermath of the attack. Breathing in deeply, I closed my eyes. I knew what I had to do, and that steeled my nerves.
“Are you okay? Do you need anything?”
“I’m okay, Richard. I wanted to check on the kids. Are they okay?”
“Yeah. They’re doing fine.”
“Who’s driving them to and from school? I want to make sure they are safe and have some protection.”
“I’ve got some people from a security company providing protection here at the house and driving Trey and Monica to and from school.”
“Which security company?”
“Baxter Security. They come highly recommended.”
I felt an immediate sense of relief. Knowing that Dirk’s team was handling security for my kids made me feel much better about their safety.
“Are they there with you now?”
“Yeah. Trey just got back from baseball practice. Monica is here with three of her friends.”
“Great. Can you make sure they are extra careful and make sure they cooperate and stay home more until this blows over?”
“Stop worrying, Regina. I’ve got this under control. Nothing is going to happen to them.”
“Okay. They’re my life, Richard. No matter what the courts say, they are my world. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to them.”
“Did you figure out why you pissed off the redhead?”
“I think so.”
“Be careful, Regina.”
“I’ve got this, Richard. You just worry about Trey and Monica.”
We finished with curt goodbyes and I watched the sunset while I debated scenarios in my head.
I could guarantee their safety if I left town. I’d only have to have Penny cancel all of my appointments. Chastity could still see the patients that needed her. If needed, I could schedule some online appointments with my most critical and demanding clients. I hated to work that way, but if I had to, I could. I still would have to process notes from Chastity’s sessions and it would kill me to drop some of my patients.
As I weighed this option, it felt like the right choice, but it also made me nauseous. Or was that from my pounding head? It seemed the safe option, but I had never gotten anything in life by playing it safe.
I had been willing to give up on being with Dirk. That had been the safe option, but now I wanted him more than ever. I wanted him because he made me feel safe, sexy, and his touch made me feel sensual emotions that I had given up on ever feeling again.
Being forty in LA only seemed to work for the Housewives of Beverly Hills. Not for a sex therapist to the stars who stayed out of the limelight and helped everyone else experience fulfilling, hot, sensual sex.
There was no way Scarlet was forcing me to give up on my practice and on Dirk. Not even if she sent her thug after me again.
I got up and made sure the security system was armed and all sensors were working. I went to my home office where the video system they had set up let me cycle through the outside cameras and make sure no one lurked outside. A glance outside at the street verified that no Black SUVs were parked on my street with more men with black masks waiting to attack me.
